Let me start off by saying, I’m really tired.
I left work about thirty minutes early yesterday because Josh and I had a date last night, and I wanted to be able to beat the five o’ clock traffic. (That didn’t happen, but I tried.) We ended up driving an hour away to Chattanooga because I wanted to go to Red Lobster. After dinner, we went to Michael’s because, with my newfound love for Etsy, I want to be crafty. Crafty with paper, of course. After $80 spent on supplies (several packs of cardstock, scissors, glue sticks, tape with designs on it, stamps, & ink [is that really all I bought?!]), we drove to Starbucks (two tall London fog teas) and then drove the hour home. By the time we got home, it was nearly ten, but I was too excited to sleep just yet. I wanted to try out my new crafting abilities!
Well, I suck. However, with a little more patience and practice–this is hard for someone who throws the knitting needles across the room after five minutes of trying to learn to knit (which I have yet to accomplish)–I should be a paper expert. I have so many ideas floating around in my head, which is probably why I didn’t fall asleep until well after midnight–and yes, I had to wake up at five. I was thinking of all of these cute designs and I wanted to try them out. (I considered staying home from work today just to work on the cards, but we won’t tell anyone that.)
My problem isn’t in design or creative abilities. I have that. Put me to work on photoshop, and I can design something pretty nifty; but when it comes to doing it by hand, I sometimes have a little trouble. I usually overcome said troubles, but with some things (*cough*knitting*cough*), I give up before giving it a chance. I’m excited about making the cards, though, and I’m trying to start out small so that I don’t overwhelm myself. Eventually, I’ll be a paper genius.
Probably. Maybe.
What are YOUR tips for making paper crafts? How do you deal with your frustrations?
(And if anyone would like to teach me how to knit, I’ll bake you cookies.)
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
I can sort of knit. I could knit better if I had more patience though. Truth be told, I am such a perfectionist that it took me like, six months (okay, maybe more) to knit my first scarf. But it is really pretty…it is fluffy and off-white and long and has long fringe. I wear it all the time and get lots of compliments. I just don’t tell people it’s the only thing besides dishtowels that I’ve ever made, and that it took me a year because I kept ripping it apart and starting over. I picked a really bad yarn for a beginner (it’s a yarn that is easy to drop/lose stitches with because you can’t *see* your stitches) and the ladies from the particular shop my friend and I went to were not really good teachers.
However, I discovered this site which I have found to be very helpful for learning various knitting basics. I like the fact that I can pause the videos and play them over and over. Also that she does the techniques both ways (whether you are a left or right handed knitter) Anyway, here it is if you are interested:
http://www.knittinghelp.com/
Good luck with your cards! That sounds like fun. I get lost on etsy so if you find good links, let us know!
Ok, first of all- I’d say try crocheting. It’s ALOT easier.
And my tips for paper…try not to get glue on your fingers. It will end up all over everything. Glue is not your friend…
Alicia: Yeah, I must need new yarn. My stitches are always okay, but the yarn just starts to fall apart. It’s annoying. And I have small needles (I think size 8), so I may need to start off with bigger needles so I can see my stitch better. Thanks for the link!
Alana: My mom knows how to crochet, so I may get her to teach me; I’ve been hearing it’s way easier. As for the glue, I haven’t experienced it yet… But I have had ink all over my fingers already from stamping!
i (re)learnt crocheting and knitting from http://www.hookandneedles.com
there are some really, really good video tutorials